When you enter a building, the first thing you’ll notice is the interior. The floors may be the least to attract attention, yet no other surface receives as much wear and tear. This is why it is important for any property manager to choose the right type of flooring for a commercial space.
Installing wooden floors in buildings that are located in low-lying areas could result in costly damage when the rains start to pour. No matter how pretty it looks, flooring aesthetics must give way to what matches the property and location.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing flooring materials for your building.
- Function and activities
Which part of the building are you renovating? Do you need flooring for an office lobby, conference room, or pantry? You need durable flooring for the lobby to withstand plenty of foot traffic. For the pantry, consider installing floors that are easy to clean when spills happen.
When choosing floors, make sure they match the activities of the area, the people who will walk on them, and the amount of maintenance required.
- Color, pattern, texture, theme
While a typical office in Wall Street will have a traditional floor design, some companies such as Google prefer to keep their premises fun and playful. If you want your commercial space to feel more homey than serious, one option is to choose residential flooring designs.
- Traffic
If your commercial space has high traffic – e.g. college dorm hallways or office receptions areas – you’ll want to consider flooring materials like marble or granite that are very sturdy and last for a long time. If you are managing an apartment complex, bamboo floors are a good choice for their beauty, warmth, durability, affordability, and eco-friendliness.
If you expect a smaller amount of foot traffic, you could opt for less durable flooring such as carpet and hardwood. For super high traffic spaces such as a warehouse where hand truck deliveries come and go, harder surfaces like ceramic tile and vinyl can prevent quick wear and tear.
- Maintenance
Maintenance is an important factor when choosing floor materials. Carpets require immediate attention when stains occur, and they can be difficult to clean when those stains start to harden. Terrazzo flooring needs regular buffing and marble requires frequent polishing to maintain their original look.
You simply cannot shut down a commercial space for a long period. If you need to do repairs, do it quickly during off hours. Choose a type of flooring that is easy to repair or replace such as carpet tiles instead of whole carpeting.
- Cost
Flooring is one of the most expensive items in a renovation project so choose materials that are affordable but, at the same time, visually appealing and resistant to wear and tear. Always include upkeep in your budget as maintenance costs could be many times higher than the initial installation.
There are so many commercial flooring options on the market today, and it is crucial for property managers to choose the right one for a particular space. Consult with a trusted commercial construction company for professional advice as soon as you can.
Written by Hubert Builders, a full service commercial construction company in Columbia, MO.
